Falcon to swoop straight towards Cheltenham

Intersky Falcon is likely to head to the Smurfit Champion Hurdle without a prep run, according to part-owner Terry McDermott.

The ex-England footballer is confident the triple Grade One-winning hurdler will not need an outing prior to next month’s target.

McDermott was in an upbeat mood after speaking to trainer Jonjo O’Neill on Sunday.

“There are still four weeks before the race, but it looks like we won’t be able to get a run into him before then,” he said.

“But that wouldn’t bother me at all, because he has always been a clean-winded horse and remember, he beat Back In Front in a Grade One at Tipperary in October 2003 after a seven-month lay-off.

“I’m still hopeful we’ll get there, but even if we don’t there are still some big races coming up before the end of the season. He’s had a wind operation and that is going to be a help to him.”

Intersky Falcon, who was third in last season’s Champion Hurdle, has not run since finishing fourth behind Harchibald in the "Fighting Fifth" at Newcastle in November.